Ruth Ella Moore (May 19, 1903 in Columbus, Ohio[1] – 1994) was a bacteriologist, who in 1933 became the first African-American woman to gain a PhD in a natural science.[2] She was a professor and head of the Department of Bacteriology at Howard University, publishing work on tuberculosis, immunology and dental caries, the response of gut microorganisms to antibiotics, and the blood type of African-Americans.

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Moore attended Ohio State University for both undergraduate and graduate levels. In 1926, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree, in 1927 her Masters of Science Degree and in 1933 her Ph.D. in Bacteriology.[3] Her dissertation was on the Tuberculosis bacteria and the titles were "Studies on Dissociation of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis" and "A New Method of Concentration on the Tubercule Bacilli as Applied to Sputum And Urine Examination".[4]

During her graduate school years, she taught hygiene and English at Tennessee State College now known as Tennessee State University in Nashville. In 1939, she became assistant Professor of bacteriology at Howard University College of Medicine. In 1948 she was appointed, and in 1955 she was made Head of the Department of Bacteriology. In 1960, she was appointed associate professor of microbiology. She retired in 1973 while holding position of the associate Professor of emeritus of microbiology. While in Howard, she conducted studies on blood groups and enterobacteriacea. She was a member of the American Public Health Association and the American Society of Microbiologists.[3][5] Moore retired in 1971.[6]

Moore's publications include a 1938 discussion of the immunology of dental caries,[7] publications in the 1950s on blood types in African-Americans.[8][9] and a 1963 publication on the sensitivity of gut microorganisms to antibiotics.[10]

She is believed to be the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D in the natural sciences.[11][12] In 2005, US representative Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced a bill recognizing Ruth Ella Moore as well as other scientists in the United States.[13]

^Moore, RE (March 1955). "Distribution of blood factors, ABO, MN and Rh in a group of American Negroes". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 13 (1): 121–8. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330130109. PMID14361661.